CLEVELAND, Ohio -- “LL Cool J is rock and roll. He’s Elvis.” Those were the bold words Questlove spoke during LL Cool J’s video tribute at the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday night. Once the video tribute finished, it was hard to deny.
LL Cool J was hip-hop’s first major solo star. He was the blueprint for the modern rapper. And he is still oozing with charisma at the age of 53. “He’s not an O.G.,” Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels added in the video tribute. “He is the G.”
LL’s induction was one worthy of rap royalty. Fellow rap icon Dr. Dre handled the duties of inducting LL with a speech validating his greatness with a dose of humor.
“What does LL actually stand for? Ladies love? Living large? Licking lips?” Dre asked. “I’m here because I personally think it stands for Living Legend.”
Dr. Dre speaks before presenting to LL Cool J at the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Induction ceremony in Cleveland. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Dre worked through LL Cool J’s career, pointing out the things that should have earned him induction into the Rock Hall right away, like LL’s range (going from songs like “I Need Love” to the scathing “Mama Said Knock You Out”). Dre even clowned LL a bit, pointing out that the guy who wrote “Going Back to Cali” (“I don’t think so...”) now lives in California.
“LL’s longevity is unparalleled in hip hop,” Dre said. “[He’s] the rare artist loved by you, your mom and all of your kids all at once.”
When LL Cool J took the stage on Saturday, it felt like a long time coming. It took six nominations to earn him induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. And he certainly didn’t mince words, bursting into a performance of “Go Cut Creator Go” and “Going Back to Cali” in a shiny suit before being joined on stage by Eminem.
The two stars went back and for on “Rock the Bells” as LL’s DJ scratched away. The crowd erupted during a performance that had the energy of a full-blown rock show. “Make some noise for the mutha******’ G.O.A.T.,” Eminem demanded before exiting the stage.
LL then delivered a thunderous version of “Bad.” The crowd erupted again at the sight of Jennifer Lopez who sang with LL on their duet “All I Have.”
Of course, LL wasn’t done. What would his performance be without “Mama Said Knock You Out?” Guys in white hoodies flanked the stage, adding to the song’s toughness. It was an incredible performance.
A sweaty LL then gave his acceptance speech, one that showed how humble a music, movie and TV star can be to the highest degree.
“The first word that comes to mind when I think of a night like this is humility,” he said. “I know I’m supposed to get here and talk tough and talk s***. But nah, humility.”
LL then thanked the artists and producers who inspired and collaborated with him, including Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons. He even thanked artists like Canibus who pushed him during their legendary feud (which LL came out on top of).
“I’d like to thank all the people who voted for LL to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame year after year,” he said. “What people don’t realize is I wasn’t thinking about the people who voted against me. I was thinking about the people who voted for me. It was love.”
Whether or not LL Cool J is Elvis, he’s a class act.
LL Cool J performs at the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Induction ceremony in Cleveland. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
COMPLETE ROCK HALL COVERAGE
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony dazzles with superstar surprises and powerful performances
Jay-Z brings larger than life presence to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony
Foo Fighters close out Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony with Paul McCartney
The Go-Go’s stage an endearing comeback at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony
Rock Hall inductee LL Cool J says hip hop made him feel ‘empowered’ as a kid
Tina Turner owned the crowd at the Rock Hall Ceremony without even being there
Carole King calls Taylor Swift’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony performance ‘amazing’
Taylor Swift kicks off Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony with Carole King tribute
See red carpet photos from the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cleveland
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony: Live coverage, real-time updates from Cleveland